Bionic Suit Could Help Paralyzed Soldiers Walk Again

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A Connecticut nonprofit is looking to give the gift of mobility to paralyzed veterans. SoldierSocks in Stamford teamed up with the California company, Ekso Bionics, the creator of the Ekso suit.

Ekso suits are robotic exoskeletons which allow people who are paralyzed to walk. Clients are strapped in to the suit by their legs and torso. Then battery-powered motors drive the their legs forward.

“It, it was amazing. I forgot, I actually forgot in six months what it was like to stand,” said Chris Tagatac, who was paralyzed from the waist down from a fall off of a ladder.

Christopher Meek, the founder of SoldierSocks, said he is writing grants and going to donors to raise money for the more than $100,000 suits.

“SoldierSocks has been there helping troops on the front lines take their steps,” he said, “helping them take their steps when they come home in terms of a career. Now, how great would it be if we could actually help a veteran take literal steps?”